The 2019 war movie Midway dramatizes the events of the Pacific Theater of World War II, from the attack on Pearl Harbor to the Battle of Midway. Midway features a cast of well-known actors portraying real individuals who were involved in the various battles and intelligence efforts. In particular, the movie focuses on the real stories of Lieutenant Dick Best, who was commander of Bombing Squadron 6 on the USS Enterprise, and the intelligence officer Lieutenant Commander Edwin Layton, among others. Because of its depiction of real people, Midway was always intended to honor them.
Despite the fictitious, action-packed movies made previously in his career, director Roland Emmerich made sure to make Midway as historically accurate as possible. Emmerich even got advice and assistance from US Naval officers. Several historians have actually said that Midway is one of the more historically accurate depictions of the Pacific Theater in a World War II movie (via Bustle). However, being a Hollywood movie, there were still a few creative liberties, and Midway’s audiences are left wondering just what was real and what was embellished.
Midway Accurately Depicts The US’s Offensive Following Pearl Harbor
The Attack Famously Prompted The US To Enter World War II
The initial scenes of Midway show US Intelligence Officer Edwin Layton, played by Patrick Wilson, being warned that blocking Japan’s oil supply would cause them to attack the US. Several years later, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in one of the biggest losses in US military history. The film depicts the attack on Pearl Harbor as well as the response of the civilians living in Honolulu, Hawaii and the military personnel who lost friends.
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While the film’s depiction is a dramatized version of the attack, the main events and tragedies of the day were portrayed as accurately as possible. The main reason for including the attack scenes was to depict the destruction that the US fleet suffered, and to set up the reasoning for the US to join World War II. These scenes immediately lead into the following responses, including the raids on the Marshall Islands and the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Bruno Gaido Really Did Shoot Down A Japanese Bomber Like Midway Shows
He Was Immediately Promoted For His Actions
Midway depicts US Naval fighter pilots, led by Dick Best, attacking a Japanese base in the Marshall Islands in 1942. Following this attack, the Japanese retaliated by firing on the USS Enterprise. Midway shows all its main characters standing on the deck of the Enterprise while the fighter pilots fly toward them and start firing. When it becomes clear that one of the planes is attempting to fly directly into the USS Enterprise, Bruno Gaido, played by Nick Jonas, runs to a stationary plane and starts firing at the Japanese plane, gunning it down before it can hit the aircraft carrier.
While this seems very dramatic, surprisingly, Gaido’s actions and his resulting promotion were both real. ✕ Remove Ads
After successfully shooting down the plane, Midway shows Gaido being taken to the Vice Admiral, William Halsey, played by Dennis Quaid, and being promoted to Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class on the spot. While this seems very dramatic, surprisingly, Gaido’s actions and his resulting promotion were both real. The only thing that Midway leaves out is that Gaido initially feared that he would be in trouble for leaving his post and hid from Halsey (via USA Today).
Layton And His Cryptography Team Really Did Discover The Japanese Navy’s Plans For Midway Through Their Messages
The Discovery Provided Essential Time For The US To Get Ahead Of The Japanese Attack
In a crucial part of the film, Midway depicts Lieutenant Commander Layton, Joseph Rochefort, and their team as having discovered the Japanese Navy’s plan to attack Midway. After intercepting messages that refer to “AF” officials in Washington and in Hawaii race to figure out what the code refers to, though the two groups disagree. In order to ascertain the truth, Layton plants a false message about Midway running short of water, which ultimately exposes Japan’s plans.
Additionally, the disagreement between Layton’s team and Washington really happened as well, though the movie may have slightly exaggerated the intensity of the conflict for increased entertainment value.
As with the other facts of Midway, this depiction is also true. Layton and Rochefort’s team really did decode the Japanese military’s plan to attack Midway and cripple US forces. Additionally, the disagreement between Layton’s team and Washington really happened as well, though the movie may have slightly exaggerated the intensity of the conflict for increased entertainment value. In reality, it does not seem that unusual that different groups would have different opinions when attempting to break a code, though Layton’s cunning misdirection ultimately proved his side right.
What Really Happened During The Battle Of Midway?
The Battle Was A Crucial US Victory
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The movie’s titular battle remains to this day as one of the US military’s most important victories. Having discovered where and when the Japanese attack was going to take place put the Americans at an advantage, and their win countered the devastation that Japan had wrought through the Pearl Harbor attack. In real life, the Battle of Midway occurred from June 4-7, 1942, and the US sank four Japanese fleet carriers and one heavy cruiser as well as damaging other ships and aircraft.
Bruno Gaido received the Distinguished Flying Cross award and was inducted into Enlisted Combat Aircrew Roll of Honor. ✕ Remove Ads
As Midway depicts, its main characters, Dick Best, Wade McClusky, Bruno Gaido, and many more were involved in the battle. Best actually did sink two aircraft carriers while being led by McClusky, and the two are credited as being crucial to the battle. Sadly, in real life, Bruno Gaido was captured and killed by Japanese soldiers, but he has been posthumously honored with several awards.
Best Really Did Return Home To His Family After The War
Best Was Discharged For Health Reasons Following The Battle Of Midway
Following the Battle of Midway in the movie, Dick Best is discharged and goes home to his family. This ending is also factually correct, as Best was discharged due to his lungs being damaged from inhaling bad oxygen while flying, which then caused him to develop active tuberculosis. Midway shows Best returning to his wife and daughter, and, in real life, he was married and had a daughter and a son. Best passed away in 2001 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
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While Midway does contain some exaggerations of the truth, in all, it is one of the more accurate war films that depicts the US’s involvement in World War II. This is unsurprising when the lengths that director Roland Emmerich went through to ensure accuracy are considered. Though the battle sequences make use of visual effects and include some dramatizations, overall, the primary events are depicted correctly, making Midway the perfect watch for history fans who want to know more about the individuals involved in this piece of US history.
Sources: Bustle & USA Today